Our Story
We believe that the fastest and most accessible path towards a wider connection to nature is through houseplant care—and we’re building a playful, empathetic, and specialized approach to empowering and educating Plant People of all skill levels, so they can turn their houseplants into Plant Pals.
We provide accessible houseplant care education with a dash of whimsy by combining a horticulturist’s level of knowledge with an activity book’s approach to teaching our audience in a way that’s clear, joyful, and engaging. Every single one of our experiences speaks to the full spectrum of Plant People. We're focused on building clarity and confidence.
Fun fact: Two-thirds of American households have at least one houseplant—but there’s a big difference between plant ownership and plant care. We’re Plant People down to our roots, and we know firsthand how hard it can be to learn the ins and outs of keeping a houseplant happy and healthy.
We spent years digging through gardens and scientific textbooks to know what we know now, and we want to share that wisdom in the most fun and effective way possible.
Who Created All of This?
Hi! I’m Krista. I’m the Founder, Designer, Artist, Writer, Lead Marketer, Plant Mom, and Many-Other-Fun-Titles behind Plant Pals. But getting to this point took a lot of growing.
I’ve loved plants and nature since I was little. My earliest memories are of picking pansies and clovers in my backyard and snacking on any wild strawberries I could scrounge up underneath the porch; it all felt like magic. I tried to grow plants of my own when I was older, but it felt like everything I touched would eventually wither away. I eventually understood that I wasn’t cursed, but I was inexperienced. It wasn’t enough to just love plants; I needed to understand them and their needs.
I started learning, and never stopped. I got my hands dirty at plant nurseries. I managed community gardens. I worked inside environmental nonprofits focused on plant education and consulting. I’ve lost count of the hours I’ve spent researching and caring for my plants, and there are still days where I can’t find a clear and concise answer to my plant problems. I’ve watched plants wither helplessly in front of me, as I lacked the knowledge to help them.
I know that frustration, but I also know the joy and quiet pride of nurturing a sprout into its healthiest, happiest self. And it’s taken me a long time to realize that both outcomes—withering and sprouting—are part of the learning process.
I wanted to use all of my lessons and experience to grow something I hadn’t seen in the world before: An approach to houseplant care and knowledge that would have helped me avoid so many dead ends (and dead plants) over the years. Plant Pals is what I always wished I had: A friendly and comprehensive resource that helps me grow and encourages curiousity and enthusiasm.
I want you to experience the deeply-gratifying fun of keeping Plant Pals in your home, whether you just want a couple of leafy roommates, or if you plan to grow your own indoor jungle.